Coasting-toboggan



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No'Model.)

C. H. EMERSON.

GOASTING TOBOGGAN.

N. PETERS, Phowmhognphur, wnhingmn4 D. C.

3 Sheets- SheetI 2,

C. H. EMERSON.

GOASIING TOBOGGAN.

Patented July 16, 1889.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. H. EMERSON. l

GOASTING TOBGGGAN.

No. 406,892. Patented July 16, 1889.

WJD.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. EMERSON, OF YONKERS, NEWv YORK.

COASTING-TOBOGGAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 406,892, dated July 16,1889.

Application filed January 20, 1387. Serial No. 224,888. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLEs H. EMERSON, of Yonkers, in the county oflestchester and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements inCoasti11g-Toboggans; and l do hereby declare that the followingspecication, taken in connection with the drawings furnished and forminga part of the same, is a clear, true, amlcoinplete description of myinvention.

It is well known in the use of slat-bottomed toboggans that a greatmajority of brcakages occur at the front bent ends of the side slats ateither side of the hood, and certain features of my invention have fortheir object the reduction of the liability of such breakages to aminimum. To this end l have for the first time provided for the freeresiliency of the bent ends of said side slats by not confining them tothe cross-bars in the hoods, and, further, in coupling said curved endstogether, so that on receiving such a blow or shock as would be liableto result in their injury if secured to hood cross-bars, as heretofore,they can yield instead of breaking. For obtaining the best results lalso employ between the front cross-bar and each of the two side slatsone or more re-enforcing lea-ves parallel with the slat and conformingto its curve or bend, so that heavy shocks borne by the said curved endscan be still more successfully resisted. Either of these two features,when separately employed, possesses practical value 5 but both should beused in first-class toboggans. In the manufacture of slotted toboggansit would involve a serious waste of stock to have the slats thickerbeneath the front cross-bar than at other portions thereof, and by theuse of my re-enforcing leaves for all of the slats ...a speciallyresilient but strong light hood can be afforded at low cost.

Another portion of my invention has for its object increased facility insteering; and this l accomplish by means of a peculiar frontbearing-surface below the front cross-bar, thc latter being for thefirst time longitudinally arched or convex on its under side, so thatywhen the slats are applied thereto they afford a correspondingbearing-surface. This feature of construction enables the head of thetoboggan to be readily swerved to and fro and as readily maintained in astraight course. lf all the cross-bars be thus made convex on theirunder sides, a very desirable toboggan will be produced, although forobtaining the best results the rear cross-bars should be straight.

Another feature of my invention consists in straining the hood by meansof cords, which extend downward from the edge of the hood and rearwardto suitable fastening devices on the rear cross-bar, thus increasing theresiliency of the toboggan, and also enabling said cords to be utilizedas cushion-binders, and still further as handles, the usual hand-railsheretofore employed then serving to protect the hands against abrasivecontact while on a slide. Cords have heretofore been used as handles,and have been extended from the hood to the front cross-bar, to whichthe cord was secured, and thence from cross-bar to cross-bar and securedto each. My strainingcords differ from said handle-cords in that theyare adjustable strainingcords, and are under tension throughout theirlength, thus providing for a springing effect by the cords from the rearcross-bar to the hood.

Another feature of mynvention consists in the combination, with a cross-bar and the bearingslats, of an interposed flexible metal plate. In itsbest form said plate is provided with integral spurs, by means of whichthe several slats are united to said plate, and itis also provided withtlanges,bymeans.of which the slats and plate coupled together may be inturn united to a cross-bar.

Another feature of my invention consists in a novel hand-rail holder orstan dard composed of bent sheet metal and combined withabolt and nut,by which it is not only maintained in proper form but securely fastenedto a cross-bar.

After fully describing these and certain other minor improvements inconnection with the drawings, the features deemed novel will bespecified in the several clauses of claim hereunto annexed.

Referring to the drawings, Figures l and 2 illustrate in side and topviews a toboggan embodying my present improvements. Fig. 3 illustratesthe same in cross-section at line so, Fig. 2. Fig. -it illustrates thesame in cross- IOO section at line y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5, in top view,illustrates the front cross-bar and the front portions of the two sideslats separately from the adjacent parts. Fig. 6, in two views,illustrates one end of the front cross-bar, a side slat, and itsre-enforcing leaves, Fig. '7 illustrates in top, edge, and end viewsametal locking-plate which is interposed between the cross-bar and theslats, as shown in Fig. 4, and it also shows a slat in cross-sectioncoupled thereto. Fig. Sis a cross-sectional view of said .plate and across-bar thereon, and also alongitudinal section of an underlyingbearingslat, as united in a toboggan. Fig. S), in top view andcross-section, illustrates said plate with a cross-bar of another form.Fig. ll), in side and edge views, illustrates one of my novel hand-railstandards or posts. Fig. l1

illustrates the same as applied to a cross-bar,

both being shown in section. Figs. l2 and 13 illustrate a modificationof the locking-plate of Fig. 7 applied to the edges of slats havingrounded bearing-faces. Fig. 14, in cross-section, illustrates a tobogganhavingacross-bar arched or concave on its under side. Fig. l5

illustrates a narrow bearing-slat interposed between an inclined sideslat and the adjacent wide slat. Figs. 1G and 17, in top and side view,illustrate the front end of a toboggan' in which the bent ends of theside slats are not extended beneath the hood, but are otherwise inaccordance with my invention.

I, will first describe the novel features in and adjacent to the hood Aof the toboggan. The two side bearing-slats a d at their front ends aare bentl inward toward each other,

and are coupled together at their extreme ends by means of a separatelight bar, or a thong or link a2, beneath the upper central portion ofthe hood, and they are wholly disconnected from the usual hoodcross-bars b, b', and b2, and hence on receiving a shock either bent enda is free to yield, and by springing to usually escape breakage. Forobtaining the best results the one or more novel reenforcing leaves ai;are interposed between the front cross-bar c and the side slats. Saidleaves may be made of thin spring metal or of hard springy wood, and ofvarious lengths, after the manner of a leaf-spring, and they are set orbent at their front ends, so as to conform with the inner surfaces ofthe bent ends a of the side slats.

The central bearing-slats a4 are, as heretofore, firmly secured to thehood cross-bars l), b', and b2, as clearly indicated. All of thebearing-slats are preferably of uniform thickness and fiat-surfaced,although slats of different thicknesses and with convex bearingsurfacescan be employed without in any manner departing from my invention.

The cross-bars c and c are novel in construction, in that on their undersides they are concave or arched at each side of their centers, so thatwhen the bearing-slats a4 are ing-surface corresponding to the undersurface of the cross-bars, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3. I prefer thatthe contours of the crossbars c and c at their under sides should differslightly, the front bar c at its ends being slightly inclined upward,and the bar c being straight or nearly so at its ends, thus providingfor a gradual twist of the side slats.

The cross-bars c2, c3, and c4 are, as shown in Fig. 4, straight on theirunder sides, and hence when the bearing slats are secured thereto theypresent a :flat transverse bearing-surface, thus affording a tobogganhaving its rear bearing-surface flat transversely and longitudinally anda front bearing-surface straight longitudinally in three lines andtransversely curved at each side of the longitudinal center. The sideslats a therefore lie flatly throughout the rear half of theirbearing-surface,l but slightly twisted at their front portions, and someof the central slats are also more or less twisted and under a torsionalstrain, all of which contributes greatly to the desired resiliency ofthe toboggan. This combination of straight and curved cross-bars, withslats which present corresponding bearing surfaces, is speciallydesirable; but l have obtained highly satisfactory results by having allof the cross-bars curved, and hence I do not restrict myself to thepreferred arrangement sh own.

The union of the convex cross-bars to the bearing-slats can be variouslyaccomplished without departure from my invention. l prefer, however, touse means wh ich will not deface the bearing-surface of the two sideslats and the middle slat, but the two slats at each side of the centercan be secured by means of screws or bolts passing upward into thecross-bar without serious objection, because of the retired planeoccupied by the lower faces of said slats, as clearly indicated in Fig.however, be united to the bearing-slats by means which will leave thebearing-faces of the slats as nearly intact as possible, and I havedevised a novel means for coupling them, which is economical andeffective and affords ahigh degree of resiliency. Between each of thesecross-bars and t-he underlying beari 11g-slats l interpose alocking-plate CZ, of

thin hard met-al, provided with a series of integral puncturi-ng-studsd', havingproperlybeveled points, so that when arranged in two or morepairs for each slat and forced into 'the slats said studs will serve assecuring deyvices by which said slats and plate are reliably connccted.To secure a uniform and desirable behavior of the studs in entering theslats, the latter should first be properly stabbed with asimilarly-pointed tool to a sufficient depth and in a proper direction.This mode of coupling the slats together is novel and of value,regardless of how the cross-bars may TOO The cross-bars c2, c, and c4'should,

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be applied and securedfas, for instance, by

screws or bolts; but I further utilize said plate by providing thereonat each side or edge a .flange or iianges d2, bent inwardly at an angle,so that a cross-bar provided on its under side with longitudinal groovesor having sides of a corresponding angle can be forced endwise over theplate, said flanges entering and occupying said grooves, as shown inFig. S, thereby securing a reliable but flexible union of said bar withsaid plate and slats. For obviating rigidity, said flanges are notchedat intervals, as at d, thus in suhstance making a series of shortflanges. For confining a cross-bar against endwise movement, a singlescrew need only be used, or one may be employed over each side slat. Foraccommodating such a screw or screws, the plate d is provided with holes(Z4, and for obtaining the best results these holes should be slightlysmaller than the screws, and provided with points or slits, as shown, sothat when a screw has been forced home it will be securely lockedagainst direct withdrawal, and its tendency to loosen by rotationreduced to a minimum. A very thin light ungroovcd cross-bar ci'y may beused with this plate (Z, in which case one portion of the flange d? maybc forced into a shallow recess inthe bar, thus securing the latteragainst longitudinal movement, as illustrated in Fig. il, or a screw ornail driven into the bar within either notch in therflange will servethe same purpose.

\Vhen the well-known curfed-faced bearing-slats are employed, the stud dneed not be puncturiiig-studs, but, as illustrated in Figs. l2 and 123,said studs may engage with the edges of the slats, which are recessed toafford flush surfaces and to house the tips of the securing-studs. Inthis form each slat is well embraced by each pair of the studs d', butwithout undue rigidity.

\Vhen screws are used, extending as heretofore downward through thecross-bars into the slats, there is a well-known tendency for the screwsto loosen and withdraw because of their short length and the twistingstrains to which the cross-bars and slats are subjected on a slide.\Vith my flexible locking-plate provided with the flanges for engagingwith the cross-bar and with holes for receiving screws for securing theslats satisfactory results will accrue, even without the slat-en gagingstubs, because the screws will all be locked by the cross-bar, and thethin flexible plate being engaged by the screws only at their heads theycan only be subjected to a minimum of displacing strain. So, also, if mylocking-plate should have no cross-bar flanges d? but be provided withthe slat-securing spurs applied in either of the forms shown, goodresults will accrue from its use, because then a very thin flexiblecross-bar can be used, and said bar need only be secured in position,the slat-binding function being wholly performed by the locking-plate.Itis also true that the use of a flexible-metal locking-plate withouteither the anges or the slat-engaging spurs will afford fairly-desirableresults, because if the slats are sc cured thereto only by means ofscrews the latter will be practically freed from the liability ofwithdrawal and screws passing through the c1oss-bar:into said plate whenprovided with the notched holes will also be firmly held againstdisplacement.

The straining of the hood is accomplished by means of the cords e, whichare attached. to the outer hood cross-bar Z), and thence pass downwardthrough eyes c, preferably pro* vided with pulleys, and thence rearwardparallel with the hand-rails f to the rear crossbar c1, to which theymay be secured by means of any suitable adjusting devices which willpermit the cords to be conveniently drawn taut and secured undertension. A simple screw-eye will serve a good purpose, requiring only aslip-knot in the cord for fastening; but I show the well-knowncalnshapcd pulley with a serrated face and a serrated clamping-block,and the two cords are also hert shown in one piece carried forward andhooked upon a pin in the edge of a crossbar. The springiness of the hoodand the well-strained cords add greatly to the resiliency of thetoboggan. Said cords also serve as holders for a cushion, the latterbeing placed beneath them and thus held in place, and they also serve ashandles, and being at the inner sides of the usual hand-railsf thelat-ter in a measure protect the hands of the riders while on a slide.

r1`he hand-rails f are provided with novel standards or posts g, which,instead of being composed of cast metal, involving considerable expensein finishing, arecomposed of a strip of sheet metal bent to form a loopconforming tothe shape of the hand-rail, and also so bent as to developa strong base and to embrace therein a nut g', which is engaged by abolt g2, which preferably extends npward through the cross-bar only, orit may also serve as a binder for the underlying' slat. This combinationof hand-rail, sheet-metal post, bolt, nut, and cross-bar affords a neatand attractive finish and great strength, with but little weight ofmetal and at low cost. 'lhe hand-rail here shown is flat on its underside, as disclosed in my application for Let ters Patent filed December18, 1886, Serial No.

'221,434, and is specially adapted to use with such handles as weredevised by me and disclosed in my said application; but it is obviousthat the sheet-metal posts can be used with other forms of hand-railwith desirable results. 1

Referring now to that portion of my invention which includes the convexcross-bars, it is to be understood that I do not restrict inyself to thedouble convexity already described, as the arched cross-bars illustratedin Fig. 14 can be employed with highly satisfactory results. Thecross-bar is concave or arched centrally; but 'it has at cach end a flatsurface for the side slats. In this connection I will now speciallyrefer to the novel feature involved in the inclined lower surfaces atthe IOO ITO

ends of the cross-bars, or in having the side slats constructed andapplied to the bars, so as to present outer surfaces approximatelyinclined, in connection with intermediate longitudinal and lateralbearing-surfaces, which enable the toboggan to have a firm generalbearing on a slide, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 14, and 15, and also inFig. 4, in connection with the inclined dotted lines on the cross-bar.On all slides the tracks are snow-banked more or less at each side, andthe feature of construction last referred to greatly facilitates keepinga toboggan from ridin g the bank or plowing into it, whether controlledby inexperienced or experienced persons, and it also renders steeringeasy. If f the toboggan crowds againsta bank, the adjacent inclined sidebearing-surface forces the toboggan toward the center of the slide andwithout any unduly destructive abrasion. If the bottom of the tobogganbe convex laterally instead of concave, as shown, or instead of havingthe intermediate bearing surfaces, the results sought will not accrue,because as one side of the toboggan rises in crowding upon a bank theother side drops or rocks, resulting either in overriding the bank orcapsizing the toboggan, especially if moving at high speed.

As shown in Fig. 15, it is generally desirable to insert'between theinclined side slat and the adjacent wide slat a narrow bearing-Slatcomposed of fine hard wood, which can be conveniently secured to the twoadjacent slats by means of dowel-pins. Itis also to be understood thatthe re-enforcing leaves co3 can be used successfully with side slatshaving bent ends which do not pass beneath the central portion of thehood, and also that such bent ends can be coupled together without theirextending beneath the hood-as, for instance, as shown in Figs. 16 and17, wherein the front ends d are bent as in ordinary toboggans, but aredisconnected from the hood cross-bars, and are coupled together by atiebar b3 beneath the main portion of the hood, thus permitting eitherend a to be freely bent under a shock or blow and enabling each toassist the other in resisting breakage. IIaving thus described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Ina coasting-toboggan, side slats bent at their front ends anddisconnected from the cross-bars in the hood, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a coasting-toboggan,side slats bent at their front ends,disconnected from the crossbars in the hood and coupled together by tiesor links beneath the central portion of the hood, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a Slat-bottomed coasting-toboggan, the combination, with the -bentends of the slats which form the hood, of the front cross-bar, andre-enforcing leaves interposed between said cross-bar and the slats andextending forward within the hood,substantially as described.

4. In a Slat-bottomed coasting-toboggan, the combination, with theslats, of cross-bars having concave under surfaces to which the slatsare secured, substantially as described.

5. In a Slat-bottomed toboggan, the combination,with the slats, of thecross-bars having concave under surfaces and the cross-bars havingstraight under surfaces, substantially as described.

6. In a Slat-bottomed toboggan, the combination of cross-bars havingupwardly-inclined under surfaces at their outer ends, side slats securedto said inclined surfaces and presenting an upwardly-inclinedbearing-surface, and intermediate slats which afford a general lateraland longitudinal bearing-surface for the toboggan, substantially as de'-scribed, and for the purposes specified.

7. In a slat-bottomed toboggan, the combination, with the hood,ofadjustable straining and cushion-holding cords extending from the edgebar of' said hood downward and thence to the rear cross-bar andadjustably secured thereto, substantially as described.

8. In a Slatbottomed toboggan, the combination, with the slats and across-bar, of a flexible plate interposed between said bar and `theslats and united thereto, substantially as said bar and slats, securedto said slats, and.,

provided with iianges which engage with and secure said cross-bar tosaid plate, substantially as described.

1l. In a slat-bottomed coasting-toboggan, the combination, with theslats and a crossbar, of a flexible plate interposed between said barand the slats and provided with slatsecuring spurs and also with flangesfor engaging with and coniinin g said cross-bar, substantially asdescribed.

12. Atoboggan hand-rail post composed of sheet metal bent to form a loopfor receiving said rail, in combination with a cross-bar, a nut embracedWithin the base of said post, and a bolt for securing the post to saidcrossbar, substantially as described.

CHARLES n. EMERSON.

Titnessesz PHILIP F. LARNER, HOWELL BARTLE.

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